Senior Mechanical Buyer - Hardware Systems

Karman Industries; Los Angeles (CA); Presencial; USD 120.000 - 165.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Karman Industries in Torrance, CA, is building the supply chain for the HPU thermal system. The Senior Buyer, Mechanical Systems, will own supply for machined components, weldments, and assemblies from sourcing through delivery.

You will partner with Engineering, Quality, and Production to surface supply risks early, drive cost-down, and ensure on-time, on-cost builds for high‑power hardware in a fast‑growing team.

Formación

• 5+ years in purchasing, strategic sourcing, or supply management for mechanical, fabricated, or machined products in hardware or advanced manufacturing
• Experience buying machined parts, weldments, or fabricated assemblies from drawings, with working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance callouts
• Working knowledge of fabrication and machining processes, materials, and special processes such as heat treat, NDE, and coatings
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, BOMs, and material and inspection specifications
• Experience building category or sourcing strategies and negotiating supply agreements
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills
• Working knowledge of import and export basics: customs, tariffs, Incoterms, and country‑of‑origin documentation
• Clear written and verbal communication with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Finance
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience sourcing pressure equipment or welded pressure‑boundary components under applicable codes, such as ASME
• Experience with high‑precision machining and exotic alloys
• Experience with supplier development, including on‑site audits and weld and process qualification reviews
• Experience buying for low‑volume, high‑mix, or prototype‑to‑production hardware programs
• Experience with should‑cost modeling, total cost of ownership analysis, and cost‑down programs
• Experience with offshore or nearshore sourcing programs
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or CPSM certification
• Background in energy, HVAC, data center, aerospace, or other industrial hardware

Responsabilidades

• Own the mechanical category strategy: supplier selection, dual- and second-source plans, consolidation, and long‑term agreements
• Run RFQs and competitive bids from drawings and specs; compare total landed cost, lead time, tooling, and quality history, then recommend awards
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and capacity commitments with fabricators, machine shops, foundries, and assembly vendors
• Drive cost‑down through should‑cost analysis, volume leverage, and design‑to‑cost input to Engineering; report savings against a baseline
• Source mechanical and thermal hardware, including fabricated assemblies, and their components
• Source precision machined parts (turning, multi‑axis milling, grinding) in various alloys, including tight‑tolerance components
• Source castings, forgings, bar stock, and plate; manage material certifications and traceability
• Source welded and fabricated components, piping, and weldments from shops qualified to applicable codes, such as ASME
• Coordinate special processes: heat treat, NDE, pressure and leak testing, and surface treatments
• Manage long‑lead equipment suppliers, including capacity reservations, factory acceptance testing, and delivery to site
• Manage contract assembly vendors, including build‑to‑print assemblies, kitting, and subassembly integration
• Work with Engineering on performance, rating, and material requirements, and confirm supplier capability before award
• Build and maintain the approved vendor list with Engineering and Quality
• Coordinate supplier qualification: first article inspection (AS9102 or equivalent), CMM inspection reports, weld procedure and welder qualifications, and process audits
• Run supplier scorecards covering on‑time delivery, quality, and cost; lead quarterly business reviews, corrective actions, and improvement plans
• Track open POs, expedite late deliveries, and escape shortages with a recovery plan; give Production and Program teams accurate supply status each week
• Manage trade compliance inputs: HTS classification, country of origin, tariff exposure, and export‑control requirements; coordinate inbound freight, customs brokers, and Incoterms
• Maintain item masters, BOM cost data, supplier records, and PO data in the ERP system
• Minimum Requirements: 5+ years in purchasing, strategic sourcing, or supply management for mechanical, fabricated, or machined products in hardware or advanced manufacturing
• Experience reading mechanical drawings, BOMs, and material and inspection specifications
• Working knowledge of fabrication and machining processes, materials, and special processes such as heat treat, NDE, and coatings
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills
• Clear written and verbal communication with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Finance
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Preferred Requirements: Experience sourcing pressure equipment or welded pressure‑boundary components under applicable codes, such as ASME
• Experience with high‑precision machining and exotic alloys
• Experience with supplier development, including on‑site audits and weld and process qualification reviews
• Experience buying for low‑volume, high‑mix, or prototype‑to-production hardware programs
• Experience with should‑cost modeling, total cost of ownership analysis, and cost‑down programs
• Experience with offshore or nearshore sourcing programs
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or CPSM certification
• Background in energy, HVAC, data center, aerospace, or other industrial hardware

Conocimientos

Purchasing experience

Sourcing strategy

Negotiation

Mechanical drawings

Clear communications

Ability to read GD&T

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or related field

APICS CPIM/CSCP/CPSM certification (preferred)

Herramientas

ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle)

Advanced Excel

Descripción del empleo

Karman Industries in Torrance, CA, is building the supply chain for the HPU thermal system. The Senior Buyer, Mechanical Systems, will own supply for machined components, weldments, and assemblies from sourcing through delivery.

You will partner with Engineering, Quality, and Production to surface supply risks early, drive cost-down, and ensure on-time, on-cost builds for high‑power hardware in a fast‑growing team.